The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush

MEDIA ARTS CLASS

Teacher: Louis Mazza
lmazza@philasd.org

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Course Syllabus
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Room Number/s:
103 (Computer lab)
106 (Drawing Studio)

Textbook
Discovering Art History
Students will sign textbooks out if/when text book assignments are given and must return the textbook the following school day.

ICEPAC
The AABR Habits of Mind is a thinking strategy that will be emphasized school-wide throughout the course of the year.
Imagination
Communication
Empathy
Perspective
Analysis
Commitment

Class Expectations
Please be PUNCTUAL. More than three latenesses will result in a phone call to your home.
Please be PREPARED with the materials you need.
Mondays through Wednesdays we will meet in the Computer Lab (103)
You will need: Sketchbook and folder, something to write with, flash drive.
Thursdays & Fridays we will meet in the Drawing Studio (106).
You will need: Pencils, erasers, sketchbook.
Please be RESPECTFUL of yourself, your educator and your fellow students. Respectful behavior is expected at all times.
Please TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for your words, your actions, and your work.
Please GIVE YOUR BEST in all your work. We’re not always at the top of our game, but we should always have high standards for ourselves. Also, know that I have high expectations of you.


Grading Philosophy
Homework, Quizzes, Papers = 25%
In-Class Work Assignments (includes PARTICIPATION, BEHAVIOR, and TIME MANAGEMENT) = 25%
Projects (Finished art work, both Photo and Drawing) = 50%

Creating art is a process. Student work will be assessed using a rubric consisting of the following criteria:
Technical Skill
Effort/Perseverance
Creativity/Originality
Group Cooperation/Attitude


Grading Scale*
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 - 65
F = 64 - 50

Required Materials:
I have a supply list for this class, which requires a parent/guardian signature. Please see me if you have not received one or if you or your parent/guardian have any questions.
VERY IMPORTANT: Bring your sketchbook to every class. Even classes in the Computer Lab. You may need it for note-taking.

Homework/Class work:
Class Work and Homework are of great importance in our class. There will be many “studio” classes, when it is expected that students will be engaged in working on an assigned project-in-progress. Wise and constructive use of time is expected in class. When homework is assigned it is to be turned in the next day, unless otherwise instructed.

Response Papers:
Response papers will occasionally be assigned. Students will be given specific art work(s) to respond to or compare. These papers are expected to be approximately 5 paragraphs. Guidelines and instruction will be given at the time of the assignment. Papers turned in after the due date will be considered late and will be penalized.

Late Assignments:
Late assignments will accrue a 10% penalty for each day it is late. Papers and projects will NOT be accepted more than 1 week after its original due date.

Make-up Policy:
If you miss class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to come to me for any make up work. I will NOT chase you down to make sure that YOU make up YOUR WORK.